If I really want to listen to an album, sputnik has no bearing on my decision. Usually the only time I act on a sputnim review is if someone i respect posts a well-written positive review of a band i didn't know about - then i check them out

a well written review should affect your willingness to hear an album, it shouldn't make you like it any more or any less. unless you can't actually think for yourself, which goes for the majority of people (on this site or otherwise)

I mostly use average rating to decide whether to check something out. I weirdly use the reviews to appreciate albums even more. If I get something and am absolutely loving it, I find the most positive review and read the whole thing just to feel that much better about it.

yeah, i'm definitely influenced by this site. and there's nothing wrong with that. there've absolutely been times when an album made a strong first impression on me after i'd read a positive review of it, and times when i've been underwhelmed after reading a negative review; all the while i knew that i'd have different feelings about the album had i not read the review. that's just life. we're highly suggestible whether we like it or not.